Fascinating facts about whales

We take a look at some amazing facts about the incredible creatures under the sea

The beluga whale is the only member of the cetacean order that can make facial expressions which is why they can look like they are happy or sad

It beggars belief that this whaling crew couldn't even tell the difference between a fin and blue whale

Humane Society International’s Senior Marine Scientist, Mark Simmonds

The whale’s carcass was seen being hauled in to the port by Hvalur 8 ship tied to the side of a vessel before it was dragged on to the dock.

The animal rights campaigners Hard To Port published photos of the whale landing in Hvalfjörður.

Humane Society International’s Senior Marine Scientist, Mark Simmonds, said: “It looks very much as though Iceland has harpooned the first blue whale in over fifty years, and if that’s the case then that’s really horrifying news.

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“It’s bad enough that Iceland is already killing endangered fin whales, but it beggars belief that this whaling crew couldn't even tell the difference between a fin and blue whale.

“This terrible incident comes as Japan is rumoured to be planning an attempt to overturn the global moratorium on commercial whaling, and clearly speaks to how utterly inappropriate it is for countries to even contemplate allowing a large-scale return to this grossly inhumane and haphazard industry.

“Iceland’s whaling is rogue and archaic and should command diplomatic criticism at the highest levels.”

There has been a ban on hunting blue whales since they nearly became extinct (Image: Hard To Port )

Blue whales can reach up to 33 metres in length and have been protected by the International Whaling Commission since 1966.

It is believed there are maximum of 25,000 blue whales in the world and only five hybrids have been in identified in Iceland since 1986.

Activists want the animal to have DNA tests to prove it is a blue whale.

Dr Phillip Clapham from NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Centre said: “It has all the characteristics of a blue whale; given that - notably the coloration pattern.

Animal activists are outraged at the whale murder (Image: Hard to Port )

“There is almost no possibility that an experienced observer would have misidentified it as anything else at sea”

Gísli Arnór Víkingsson at the Iceland Marine Institute, said: “We heard about this strange whale straight away and an employee reports that it's in many ways similar to a hybrid which has been brought to us quite a lot recently which is unusual. Photographs point to the fact that it's a hybrid whale and we're almost certain that it is one, but we can't be sure until autumn when we get it DNA tested.”

Arne Feuerhahn, CEO of campaign group Hard to Port, said: “This is an unacceptable tragedy that leaves people around the world speechless. It is very unfortunate that the reckless and irresponsible actions of a single individual stain the reputation of this progressive and beautiful country.”